Towards a two tiered society - A Minnesota Warning

[Wickerman]

Minnesota used to be a wonderful place to live. People thought in terms of what was best for the state, and the people of the state - not what bettered corporate interests and the already wealthy. Taxes were somewhat higher than the other area states if you looked at only the state income tax. If you measured against the whole tax collection scheme we came out in the middle. Social Services were a model for other states to strive towards. Our roads were relatively decent considering the hell they go through in the winter, and our schools were very respectable.

The 90's were good to the state. Tech businesses made great gains, medical research soared and we were running a surplus. Suddenly, this great state decided that (thanks, Jesse) instead of saving for a rainy day (and, of course, economies are cyclical) and building up infrastructure while we were flush, we should get tax rebates, cut back on state spending (which, of course, only pumps money back into a state economy), cut back on local and school spending, etc. The general economic downturn at century's end caught up with Minnesota like any other state. The events and economic fallout of S-11 added to the slump. Coupled with those losses and a decreased tax base, Minnesota found itself in a 4 billion dollar hole.

To add insult to injury the state decided that Republicans could better run the affairs of the state. Gov Tim Pawlenty came in with a slash and burn budget that forced changes on the backs of those who could least afford it. MFIP, (MN Welfare) once a fairly equitable AND successful method of lending a hand to folks who needed help out of tough times got slashed. Medical benefits to kids got slashed. Services to the disabled were curtailed and personal contributions to those systems were increased by 60 and 70% in many cases.

Pawlenty has managed to find funds to finance many speculative business ventures for the state. Example - "JOBZ could wind up being the single biggest tax break that state and local governments have ever given a favored segment of the business community."

http://www.startribune.com/stories/561/4187489.html . Local communities will give away 12 years of tax base to expand business and aren't required to guarantee much in return.

He, in these very rough times, is spearheading the resurgence to build Red McCombs (a billionaire who doesn't live in Minnesota) a new stadium for his Vikings. No word yet on how much public money will be spent, but you can bet Tim will find it essential to do so, while saying that $6,500 a year to educate a kid is too much.

Yesterday's proclamation is too damn much. Its class warfare, folks. He wants to build a Two-Tiered System, the have and have-nots. Pawlenty wants to allow fatcats (his rich friends) preferential treatment on the crowded freeways of the metro area. He has proposed that the HOV lanes, traditionally open only to buses and carpools, be open to single use vehicles who pay a fee to use them.

In other words, if you can afford it, you get a tracking device affixed to your car and you get billed for each use of a state-financed highway while drving in the less clutered once HOV lane (first class). If you can't afford it, you get relegated to the business class of the freeway.

I predict that not only will no new revenue be raised by this effort to further segregate classes, I foresee this system eating up resources (tracking, billing, roadway modifications, collections, etc) that could be better used in solving transportation problems not only in the Metro area but statewide.

Read it and weep:
http://www.startribune.com/stories/468/4192491.html
(you may need to free-register)
ST. PAUL - By next year, solo commuters who find themselves inching along on Interstate 394 should have the option of paying to cruise on lanes that have so far been reserved for car pools and buses.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the tollway would be called a HOT lane, short for high occupancy toll, and could be running by December 2004. The congested interstate in the Twin Cities' western suburbs could be converted to allow drivers to take the lane once they buy electronic debit passes. The rate hasn't been set, but state officials speculated that the charge might be as little as 50 cents or as high as $3.


edited to clarify (attempted)

[Brucey]

1. Very nice summary of what has been happening in MN.

It's sad. The suburbs have taken political power and they are a bunch of brainwashed, greedy people. What's is scary is most of them went to college. It used to be that college-educated people cared about others and weren't quite as greedy as a group. But the repugs have begun taking over colleges just as they have taken over the media. The same propaganda is chanted daily, right after the pledge of allegiance. Minnesota might even go for Bush in 2004. Minnesota is becoming another Montana. How long before we have the death penalty, guilty but mentally ill, sky-high tuition, and bans on abortion? Minneapolis is still strongly liberal, though repugs are starting to make inroads there. What will it take to get back on track? It seems to me that it won't be easy and that it will take a long time. Young people are quite conservative, and the no-taxes crowd is loud and popular. What are some suggestions?

[Wickerman]

2. It really pains me to see this happen

I left Texas to come here. Got here right as Jesse came into office. Knew Minnesota by its reputation. All the things that Minnesota was reputed for are sliding away. And Brucey, you are correct, the 'burbs are ruling and ruining this state. I live out fo the metro area and we get hosed. Our state input (tax contribution) no where equals our return. It ain't right. And what is up with conservative kids? Too much MTV and short attention spans so that they fall for sloganeering? How to get them involved?

[no name no slogan]

5. Lifelong MNan here...

and I have to say that it started before Jesse. Arne Carlson, the moderate Republican governor before Jesse "ain't got time to govern" Ventura, did quite a bit to decimate state spending, too-- especially on public education. He claimed he had to control "deficit spending" because of the supposed mess Rudy Perpich left him, although those deficits pale by comparison to the ones we have had lately.

The ironic thing about Carlson was that he claimed to be the "education governor", and was a big booster of the U of Minnesota-- but basically told the public K-12 schools to go to hell at the same time. I suppose it had NOTHING to do with the fact that he was was originally from New York and graduated from the U of M.

The suburban vs. rural vs. city divide is really getting out of hand. The new breed of Republicans who moved into the 'burbs in the 80s and 90s have totally taken control of the state. Ironically, most of them are out-of-staters who originally moved here because of our good schools, low crime and public services. Now it seems they're hell-bent on changing our state into South Dakota, or a cold Mississippi (no offense meant to SDans or MSans).

I grew up in the Mpls suburbs in the 70s and 80s, and I remember that even though they were socially conservative, people still didn't mind paying their taxes for good schools, good roads and decent public services. Even in Maple Grove, where I lived (it was working-class and semi-rural then-- not the yuppie bedroom community it has turned into).

Unfortunately, the state DFL party has not done a good job of promoting our message and running candidates who energize our base. No offense to Roger Moe (DFL gov candidate last round), who is a very decent and good man, but he doesn't excite people the same way Jesse or Paul Wellstone could.

It truly is getting worse every year. I live in Minneapolis now, and our taxes have steadily gone up but our services has been increasingly cut. It seems the only way to get attention in this state now is if you threaten to move a sports franchise to Texas.

[bloom]

3. 2 tiers

It is sad - esp. if people don't see it happening or don't think they can do anything... or if most people think - "I want those privileges" and think they will get them..... somday (like when they win the lottery :eyes: ).

[truthspeaker]

4. Minnesota DFL has to take some of the blame

Last year the Senate's solution to the deficit problem was to raise the car registration tax, probably the single most unpopular tax in the state. And nominating Moe instead of Dutcher - don't get me started.

But you're right, greed and disdain for the less fortunate are fashionable now. And don't underestimate the power of MCCL. They don't just put up billboards, they control the state Republican party. Arne Carlson could never get Republican endorsement now.

And don't forget our Education Commissioner is a creationist. :mad:

[Brucey]

6. Thanks to all who replied,

it helps to know there are others who see and understand what is going on. I agree with everything written here. We know what is wrong, we know what happened and who's in charge, but what can we do about it? Suggestions?

[DUreader]

7. Big Kick , Coming to Your State Soon

[Wickerman]

8. edited

totally missed the point of your post - doh! thanks for the kick - and you are correct - if it ain't happened to your state already, it will.

[preciousdove]

9. Lawmakers, Governor Consider Changing MinnesotaCare Rules

Headline is true except for the Governor part. We ended up hiring a lawyer at $230 who has had success dealing with Minnesota Medicaid. We tried for over a year to get someone who knew anything about what was going to happen to my home with the new rules. I got the name after an 11 month search through a non-profit disability agency and it was really difficult to find them that way. I keep hearing stories from friends and relatives of people in Minnesota who get sick, lose their job and are ending up homeless and then losing medical benefits because they have no permanent address. I would think that soon every family in Minnesota would have a disabled person in their house that they were responsible for. Especially with the epidemic of Lyme Disease, MS, Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyagia along with all the complications of these conditions.

http://www.kare11.com/news/news-article.asp?NEWS_ID=54704

[dflprincess]

10. Did you see the story on channel 11's 5 o'clock news tonight?

For those who don't know, MinnesotaCare is an insurance program for people who can't get other insurance. In some cases, it's because of health problems and no one else will insure them. In others, it is financial, people on MinnesotaCare pay a premium based on income - though the premiums just took an awful jump with all of Pawlenty's cuts and refusal to raise any tax. I have a friend who is doing contract work and her husband is selfemployed. They could only get coverage through this because they are both on Lipitar (sp).

Channel 11 ran a story tonight about this couple who has been on MinnesotaCare The husband has lung cancer and has been receiving chemo. Unfortunately, MinnesotaCare has a $5,000 cap on out patient chemo treatments (how long does it take to run up a 5,000 bill for chemotherapy - a month?) Now the only option the couple has is to apply for Medicaid. BUT they own a farm so Medicaid would put a lien on the farm to recover costs. Meaning, of course, if he survives, he and his wife will be left with nothing (or he dies and she will be left with nothing).

The minority leader of the state House, Matt Entenza (DFL) was on the news sputtering about this but nothing can be done about lifting the caps until the legislature convenes and that's not until January. Which could be too late for this couople. Our oh so good Christian, personal friend of Jesus, Governor (and Bush stooge) Pawlenty was on saying he "supposed" that could be looked at.

Thank you Timmy, for showing us what compassionate conservative really is. And, you know when Jesus said "What you do to the least of my brethren, you do to me.", it wasn't just a talking point.

[dragonlady]

11. Like that here in Wisconsin

This discussion reminds me of our Rush wannabe radio personality who thinks we should be in great shape to attract new business because of our wonderful reputation for education, roads, parks, etc. if only we reduce the tax burden. He forgot to mention how we can maintain those schools, parks and roads without money.